Raymond Hawthorne, Jr., Distribution of Fentanyl, Louisiana 2021

State: Louisiana
Category: Drug Trafficking
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/pr/distribution-fentanyl-sends-abbeville-man-back-federal-prison" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

A federal judge has sentenced Raymond Hawthorne, Jr., 48, of Abbeville, Louisiana, to 57 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for his role in distributing fentanyl.

According to court records, Raymond Hawthorne, Jr. pleaded guilty to the charge on November 4, 2021. The distribution of fentanyl occurred on August 27, 2019, when Hawthorne’s co-defendant provided approximately 25 grams of a mixture containing a detectable amount of fentanyl in exchange for cash.

Law enforcement officers operating in an undercover capacity made arrangements to purchase the fentanyl from Hawthorne. He directed them to a location where the transaction would take place. Following the transaction, the officers observed Hawthorne’s co-defendant drive directly to meet Hawthorne and provide him with the money from the drug transaction.

Hawthorne was previously convicted in 2002 of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and was on federal supervised release at the time of his arrest. He has now been sentenced to 57 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen prosecuted the case.

This is not the first time Hawthorne has been involved in the distribution of illicit substances. His previous conviction highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and the need for continued law enforcement efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the country, it is essential that those responsible for distributing these deadly substances are brought to justice. Hawthorne’s sentence serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in such activities.

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